Gyokko Ryu

Kosshijutsu

History Weapons Prohibitions

Taihenjutsu:

Movement Skills: Receiving Forms Taihenjutsu Ukemi Gata Movement Skills: Unarmed Arresting Forms Taihenjutsu Muto Dori Gata

Kihon:

Stances Kamae Vital Points Kyusho Fists Ken Kicks Keri Footwork Taijutsu Stabbing with the Fist Tsuki Receiving Attacks Ukeru Arresting Tori

Sanshin and Kihon Happo:

Three-Hearts Form Sanshin no Kata Fundamental Eight Forms Kihon Happo Gata

Kosshijutsu:

The Scroll of Beginning Strategy Joryaku no Maki The Scroll of Middle Strategy Churyaku no Maki The Scroll of Final Strategy Geryaku no Maki

The word Gyokko is composed of the characters "Jewel" and "Tiger." Therefore, it's sometimes translated as the Jeweled Tiger School of Bone Manipulation.

Gyokko Ryu is characterized by circular movements, strikes to vital targets, and bone breaking locks. All of these can be summarized as Kosshijutsu, which are skills of bones, more specifically using the bones of the fingers to strike into weak points of the opponent's body. Another way to look at this is as a simple principle of using something strong to destroy something weak. This said, Gyokko Ryu has a feeling of avoiding direct confrontation and circling in order to approach from a different angle. This is not just a basis for movement, but a mentality that permeates the very core of Gyokko Ryu. Kosshi can also be translated as essence, and the movements taught within are the essence of movement for multiple fighting arts.

There are three major sets of forms in Gyokko Ryu: the Sanshin no Kata, the Kihon Happo, and the Kosshi Sanryaku.

The Sanshin no Kata and Kihon Happo are the building blocks of Gyokko Ryu. The Sanshin teaches five basic movement forms while the Kihon Happo teaches three striking forms and five capturing forms. Through the Sanshin no Kata one gains an understanding of the whole body (Gotai) and the five elements (Gogyo). It becomes like a mirror that reflects the true heart of a martial artist. Ironically, a fast way to improve the Sanshin no Kata is by practicing in front of a mirror. In addition to this, there are the Kihon Happo, sometimes considered the Bible of martial arts. While the Sanshin teaches a more direct, straight-forward approach, the Kihon Happo allows one to begin learning circular movement - a key part of Gyokko Ryu. With this set of thirteen techniques, a martial artists can easily learn the locks, throws, and strikes of any traditional Japanese martial art. Therefore, the importance of the Sanshin no Kata and Kihon Happo cannot be understated. They should be learned and practiced often.

The final set of forms in Gyokko Ryu are known as the Three Secret Strategies (Kosshi Sanryaku), and they are the largest section of forms in Gyokko Ryu. They can be divided into the Scroll of Beginning Strategy (Jo Ryaku no Maki) or Heavenly Strategy (Ten Ryaku no Maki), the Scroll of Middle Strategy (Chu Ryaku no Maki) or Man's Strategy (Jin Ryaku no Maki), and the Scroll of Final Strategy (Ge Ryaku no Maki) or Earthly Strategy (Chi Ryaku no Maki). The "Jo-" means up or upper so this can be referred to as the heavens (Ten). The "Chu-" refers to the middle where man (Jin) resides. The "Ge-" means down or lower and is used to refer to the earth (Chi).

The Jo Ryaku no Maki teaches that our universe is a mystery comprised of nature that is constantly changing. Therefore, one must begin to develop an attitude of Banpen Fugyo. Which means that with 'limitless changes' one remains 'without surprise.' In other words, one develops an immovable mindset (Fudoshin) and can remain unshaken no matter what challenges or opponents they face. Banpen Fugyo was developed in Hakuun Ryu and is a concept that is also found in Togakure Ryu. The ever-changing nature is called Banka Shizen. In Gyokko Ryu, the defender learns to channel these concepts through the Divine Prayer Transmitted from Heaven (Ten Ryaku Uchu Gassho). This is about learning that universal gravitation exists between all things and channeling power from that to defend oneself and act with daring. Therefore, the defender must focus on observing this natural change within the techniques and sensing when change is about to occur. This is Universal Consciousness.

Once the defender understands that ever-changing nature (Banka Shizen) is the universe's natural state, he begins to apply this through the Chu Ryaku no Maki. The defender's focus is now on learning to change naturally and spontaneously. He learns to constantly remain in a position where universal gravitation exists. The defender expresses these precepts through a Prayer of Defense from the Vault of Heaven and the Entire Earth (Chi Ryaku Futen Goshin Gassho). The defender is determined to protect himself with power from the wind. This is Wind Consciousness. Once mastered, the defender must then practice the Jo Ryaku no Maki with this added element.

The Ge Ryaku no Maki can also be called the Jin Ryaku Hanno Banitsu no Maki because in it the practitioner uses a Prayer on Man's Transmissions of Reaction and Repulsion (Jin Ryaku Hanno Hanitsu Gassho). The defender looks for the essence (Kosshi) of perfect timing and exploits this by using the power of will to bring down the opponent like an overflowing flood. The purpose is for the practitioner's mental power to equal that of a force of nature like a powerful flood. This is Water Consciousness. After learning this, the practitioner must go back and apply this to the Jo Ryaku no Maki and the Chu Ryaku no Maki.

"Bushin Wa o Totoshi to Nasu": the martial heart establishes harmony as precious. (From the Gyokko Ryu Kosshijutsu Densho)

 

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